Should you list your religion on your resume?

If you feel the need to list your faith on your resume or on a job application, it could work against you. 

Two recent studies conducted in New England and the South found that listing faith on a resume can cut the chances for a callback by more than 25 percent. The researchers experimented with seven different listings including atheist, Catholic, evangelical Christian, Jewish, pagan, Muslim, a made up “Wallonian” faith. Another controlled group of resumes had no religious affiliation. Those with no religious affiliation go more callbacks, especially in the South. 

David Lewin, head of Berkeley Research Group’s Labor and Employment practice, said these studies do tend to show there will be factors in resumes that will lead to bias – and religion is no exception. Monster.com’s advice: You may want to leave out organization names that disclose your cultural background, religious affiliation, sexual orientation and other possible targets of discrimination.